She was born April 3, 1919, in Dover to Robert Lee and Lucy Ann Branch Bates. She was a retired employee of the Baldor Electric Corp.

She is survived by three daughters, Pat and husband, James Singleton, of Lavaca, Virginia and husband, Jerry Tomilson, of Derby, Kan., and Sharon and husband, Bascom Freeman, of Montgomery, Texas; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Kay Keener; one son, Joe Pyle; one sister, Anna Bates; two brothers, Leo and Bill Bates; and grandaughter, Angie Keener.

Cremation is under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Burial of cremains will be at a later date in the Owens Cemetery in Dover.